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Best Wrestling Shoes in 2024

best wrestling shoes 2023

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Welcome to our guide on finding the best wrestling shoes for this coming wrestling season. As the fall approaches, we want to help you find the best gear to rock during this season! Here are some of our top choices!

In this post, we break down some of the top-rated wrestling shoes on the market and give you a top 10 list to choose from. In our post, we try to be as partial as possible. All the brands on the list fit our criteria of being good, durable, and reliable wrestling shoes but some rank higher strictly due to style.

In the sport of wrestling, your shoes seriously matter. The last thing you want to do is slip and have your shoes give out in a crunch-time moment or for them to tear randomly because the material isn’t as strong as you thought it was. Let’s dive in a examine the best wrestling shoes on the market!

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Grapplers Graveyard | Top 10 Wrestling Shoes - UPDATED

Designed for All Performance Levels

This is why shoes are the most important part of a wrestler’s gear. A proper set of wrestling shoes can make a lot of difference on the mat. There are several important characteristics that need to be considered when you’re buying shoes for the mat. These include grip, durability, weight, support, stability, comfort, and style.

Whether you are in high school or wresting at your local jiu-jitsu academy, having the right pair of wrestling shoes needs to cater to your output. We all know that wrestling is a very intense sport, to begin with and having a good pair of shoes makes all the difference. We are trying to look out for the highest quality gear to make sure that we have you covered on all the things you need to get to the highest level you see yourself getting to. 

You may be a BJJ athlete wanting a nice pair for wrestling practice, a highschool athlete, or an aspiring MMA fighter, wherever you are, we wan tot save you the time. We have crafted the above list with the criteria below on why each shoe was ranked where they were. As new shoes come into the market, we will test them a see how they fit up against the stacked list that we have complied to date.

What should you look for when choosing wrestling shoes?

Finding the right wrestling shoes for yourself is essential to get the best performance on the wrestling mat. The right pair of these shoes will help you get traction, flexibility, and comfort. At the same time, they’re also a huge factor in preventing injuries during contests.

But then the question arises, how does one pick the ideal wrestling shoes for themselves? Well, there are several factors that you need to look for here. While there are no perfect wrestling shoes, you can get the ones most suited to you by knowing the following:

  1.  Durability
  2. Style
  3. Comfortability
  4. Fit and Feel
  5. Price Point
  6. Quality of Material

Top 10 Wrestling Shoes

1. Asics Agressor 5 (The Best Wrestling Shoe Right Now)

Wrestling is a battle against yourself. Asics has you pretty, much covered with all your wrestling shoe needs. They have so many options to choose from and options that are suitable for both men and women.

The top wrestling shoe on our list for this year is the Agressor 5.

We love the Aggressors by ASICS, in all honesty, we stan for ASICS wrestling gear. They really are a staple brand in the wrestling/grappling community and we owe a lot to them in terms of helping the market grow.

Time and time again (as you can see from the list above) ASICS puts out great products that keep us (and other customers) happy. Now everything is not perfect of course because you know nothing is but for now, the aggressors sit are out number one position.

best wrestling shoes

Why Did They make this spot?

The main reason why these wrestling shoes are sitting at the number one spot on our list is due to the comfort, grip, and feel that the shoe offers on the mats. These shoes fit really well on the feet and are surprisingly light when worn. We have skinny ankles and feet so the ankle support is a huge deal breaker for us.

Not only did these wrestling shoes support our ankles but they fit and molded to our feet extremely well. The biggest issue that other people have with these shoes though is how long the grip seems to last (or lack thereof). We personally did not have an issue with the grip coming off as fast as people were saying on reviews but this is something to keep in mind when making your decision. ASICS are known to last and their wrestling shoes in the past have been good to us.

How Do They Fit: True to Size

Pros

  • Fit to the feet well
  • Light 
  • Comfortable
  • The price is not too crazy
  • Quality material and built to last

Cons

  • Some people have issues with sturdiness of the shoe
ASICS Men's Aggressor Wrestling

Asics Agressor 5s are some of the best wrestling shoes on the market. Get a high-quality product without breaking the bank.

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2. Rudis Wrestling Shoes

Honestly, at this point if a list does not have Rudis Wrestling shoes on it we do not want to read or hear their opinion. These shoes are incredible, not only in quality but come on, look at these things! Rudis is ahead of the game in the style category for all wrestling shoes and there is no one even coming close to second.

We said earlier that all the shoes on our list were there for a reason and some had climbed higher just due to the style. Well, in case you didn’t guess, we were 100% talking about the wrestling shoes from Rudis.

The shoes that I bought from Rudis are bound to last me a long time. They are both responsive (to movement) and stylish. I believe that these shoes are amazing and are built with an extreme sense of detail. 

Rudis sponsors some of the biggest named wrestlers. on the planet and live up to their motto of crafting elite shoes for elite athletes.

best wrestling shoes

Why did they make this spot?

The main reason why Rudis got the number two spot in our eyes is a combo of a couple of things. First off, they are objectively good wrestling shoes. The quality of the material, the fit, and the feel all met our criteria of what is considered a “good wrestling shoe”. 

It really got brownie points for the styles that they continue to produce. No one on the market makes a better-looking shoe than Rudis. No questions about that.

How do they Fit: True to Size (they have a unique way to calculate your shoe size on their site using your camera)

Pros

  • Stylish
  • Comfortable
  • Made with quality in mind
  • Light

Cons

  • Pricier than all the shoes on the list
Wrestling Shoes | RUDIS

RUDIS Wrestling Shoes pays homage to the life of a warrior while also serving as a weapon for those seeking victory in battle on the mat. Rudis shoes are not only crafted to perfection but also extremely lightweight.

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3. Nike Inflict 3

Sitting at the number three spot on our list of top 10 wrestling shoes for the season we have the Nike Inflict 3. Seeing something made by Nike close to the top of the list should not come to any kind of shock to you. Nike is notorious for making high-quality products and these Inflict 3 live up to the standard. They are currently sitting at $180 so this is one of the more expensive pairs of wrestling shoes on the market but if you are a huge Nike buff these will go well in your collection. 

We love the Inflicts not only for the minimalist feel and look but also because of how well they fit to your feet and how comfortable they are. You will notice a pattern that comfort and style are a huge determining factor for making it on our list of best wrestling shoes and the Nike Inflict 3 definitely fit the criteria here. Now one thing that I don’t necessarily love about these shoes is the lack of options that they have for color ways. Rudis and the ASICS have so many options to choose from while there are only 3 from these shoes. Your choices here are black, blue, or white with different accent colors to choose from but nonetheless, only three colorways is too little for us on the style points.

Still. a great shoe to go with if you end up deciding to get them.

best wrestling shoes

 

Why did they make this spot?

Again, we love the Nike Inflict wrestling shoes. Personally, the feel and comfortability of the shoe is what gets it its spot on the list. The reason we have it lower is mainly due to the lack of flash and lack of options that are available online. We want to not only have good wrestling shoes that help us perform well but we want something that catches eyes and has good appeal. Call us superficial or whatever, sue us!!!!

Here is a quick pro and con list.

How do they fit: True to Size

Pros

  • Comfortable
  • Fits well to the foot with great ankle and arch support
  • Nike Quality
  • Flexible and support mobility

Cons

  • Pricey 
  • People say they scuff easily on reviews (not our experience)
  • Not many colorway options as other brands
Nike Men's Inflict 3 Wrestling Shoes
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4. ASICS Matblazer (Top Rated for Women)

At the number four spot on our list of top 10 wrestling shoes, we have the ASICS Matblazer Women’s wrestling shoes. This was an exciting one for us being that this is the highest-rated women’s wrestling shoe on the list and boasting at the number 4 spot on our list is no small feat.

The Matblazers (along with the Rudis Wrestling shoes) are the best options to go with if you are a female athlete looking to dominate on the mats this upcoming season. These wrestling shoes not only come in a number of colorways to choose from but they live up to the quality standard that all ASICS wrestling shoes have.

Our daughter and her friends who train both BJJ and wrestling solve these shoes, they fit comfortably to their feet, are flexible promoting mobility, and are designed exclusively for women.

best womens wrestling shoes

Why did they make this spot?

The Matblazers are sitting at the coveted number four spot for a reason. By no means is this a low-ranking shoe and anyone looking to make a purchase for female athletes would not be making a mistake here but keep in mind, that wrestling is a male-dominated spot and putting a shoe mainly designed for women in the above spots really wouldn’t make sense.

These are of the highest quality women’s wrestling shoes on the market, no questions asked. The appearance, quality, versatility, and traction of these shoes are up there with the best. Not to mention that AISCS always creates shoes that are meant to last, so this wrestling season get yourself a pair and you’ll see them all the way to the end.

How do they fit: They Run small, get a size bigger than usual

Pros

  • Best women’s wrestling shoe on the market
  • Built to last you all season
  • Comfortable, flexible, and promotes mobility
  • Light
  • Less than $100

Cons

  • Run a size too small
  • Narrow to the foot so again, get a size bigger
ASICS Women's MATBLAZER Wrestling Shoes
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5. Adidas Tech Fall 2.0 

The fifth wrestling shoe on our list is Adidas’s Tech Fall 2.0. This is the first Adidas shoe to make it on the list of best wrestling shoes this season from Grapplers Graveyard.

This shoe is a successor to the original Tech Fall that debuted at the 2016 Summer Olympics. It became acclaimed for its lightweight, high performance, and superb comfort. The Tech Fall 2.0 takes it all up a notch.

This new version is everything the first version is not. Its highlights include its balance and stability when you’re on the wrestling mat. The Tech Fall 2.0 is made from high-quality materials, giving it immense durability and grip and it feels amazing on your feet after you break them in.

The shoe itself is not too heavy so you will feel light on the mats but one thing it does lack is in durability of the shoe (meaning that you may have to buy another pair sooner than you would like) and when you have to break them in they feel stiff.

Like the original model, it has a mesh design that increases ventilation and breathability. This allows you to train for hours. This shoe is designed for all types of wrestlers – from beginner to advanced.

best wrestling shoe

Why did they make this spot?

In our opinion, Adidas being behind Nike for a top-rated wrestling shoe makes sense. Bringing this shoe higher than the number 5 spot in our eyes is something that could not happen. It is a great wrestling shoe especially when you start to break it in and your foot gets accustomed to the feel of it.

The initial stiffness of the shoe is what turned this from a top 4 wrestling shoe to a top 5. Going from 4 to 5 is really not a huge leap back in our opinion and we do not think that getting these shoes is a bad idea (much like any of the shoes on this list) but we just think there are better options to choose from.

How do they fit: A bit narrow, 1/2 size off. Fit more snugly for people with wider/flat feet

Pros

  • Best-rated Adidas Wrestling Shoe
  • Plenty of colors to choose from
  • Great ankle support
  • Grippy

Cons

  • When the mesh gets dirty hard to clean
  • A little narrow and stiff at first
Adidas Men's Tech Fall 2.0 Wrestling Shoe
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6. Asics Men’s Aggressor 4

At the number 6 spot on our list of top top-rated wrestling, shoes, we have the Agressor 4s, the baby brother to the #1 rated shoe, the Agressor 5s. The Aggressor 4 is another pair of wrestling shoes from ASICS that deserves a mention here. This shoe is arguably the better-looking one on this list with plenty of options to choose from, but there’s no way we were just going to fill this list up with aggressor shoes.

The Aggressor 4 is a great choice if you’re a wrestling athlete with lots of experience or a little. The shoe is durable and thick, but it still manages to remain lightweight. A lace garage is also included to prevent you from scratching up your opponent and prevent tripping. The aggressor 4s belong in everyone’s wrestling shoe collection in our opinion, these shoes are incredible and we are not the only ones to say this. Pretty much all the reviews are high for this shoe and we really don’t have anything negative to say about it. That’s probably why ASICS made only minor changes to these shows, called them a new version, and have both their latest models in the top 10 wrestling shoes by us and our standard.

best wrestling shoes

Why did they make this spot?

Being that the ASICS 5s are the #1 rated wrestling shoe on our list, we knew that the Little Brother shoe would still hold a spot in the top 10.

The Agressor 4s are light, comfortable, flexible, have plenty of colors to choose from, have good grip, and offer a good value for the shoe. If you want to avoid spending the money on a price Agressor 5, going with the Agressor 4s is the next best option in my opinion.

How do they fit: True to Size

Pros

  • Quality Wrestling Shoe
  • A good number of options to choose from (colorways)
  • Grippy
  • Comfortable and durable

Cons

  • Over $100
  • Little Brother to the Asics 5
  • Reviews mention issues with the Soles (not our experience but other people seem to have an issue with them falling off after a few uses)
ASICS Men's Aggressor Wrestling
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7. Adidas Mat Hog 2.0

Alright, now we are more than 70% of the way done with our list, at the number 7 spot for the top-rated wrestling shoe we have the (current) second-best Adidas wrestling shoe, the Adidas Mat Hog 2.0.

The second-generation Adidas Mat Hog is an absolute banger with lots of features. It is easily the most versatile wrestling shoe on this list. Many choose it due to the numerous customization options available on it; there are many colors, designs, sizes, etc.

It comes with a whole range of lacing options, which allows wrestlers to loosen it up to create more room or tighten it for more ankle support. You also get a mesh design that adds breathability and prevents sweating. A lacing garage is offered here as well.

best wrestling shoe

Why did they make this spot?

Being at the number 7 spot should not be a flinch but it is a bit away from the top-rated spot nonetheless. The mat hog 2.0 does have an issue with separating between the sole and the shoe. That can be. a bit frustrating when you pay to have a reliable shoe and it falls short on you like that.

For the most part, the Adidas Mat Hog 2.0 is a high-quality wrestling shoe from our point of view. They are comfortable, light, fit well, and made with quality in mind (despite the wear and tear mentioned in the online reviews).

How do they fit: True to size

Pros

  • Not an expensive shoe ($75)
  • Good quality
  • Fits well and are comfortable to train/compete in
  • Grippy

Cons

  • Separate pretty quickly if not properly maintained
  • Fit a little more on the tight side
  • Not ideal for those with arched feet
Adidas Men's Mat Hog 2.0
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8. Adidas Wizard 4

At the number 8 spot, we have the Adidas Mat Wizard 4 Wrestling Shoe. Not only is this shoe a high quality one but very price friendly only being $70.  Adidas has a wide range of colors to choose from on this wrestling shoe so whatever your needs are you are covered here with them. From a quality standpoint, the Mat Wizard is up there with some fo the best wrestling shoes on the market the biggest downfall from what we see is the durability. The Mat Wizard does tend to split a little more quickly than other pairs after excessive use of the shoe. Other than that, the grips, appearance, comfort, and fit of the shoe feel incredible on our feet.

best wrestling shoe

Why did they make this spot?

The Adidas Mat Wizrd 4s are an extremely high-quality shoe outside of the fact that it does have a tendency to split after excessive use. For only $70, we thought the shoe was a decent purchase and would recommend anyone who needs a solid pair of wrestling shoes go with these.

Now are there better options? Yes, of course. Are these horrible? No, not even close.

How do they fit: Perfect Fit, Fit to Size

Pros

  • Affordable
  • Stylish
  • Fit well to the foot and are comfortable
  • High quality

Cons

  • Not the best grips on the list
  • Split after excessive use
adidas Men's Mat Wizard 4 Wrestling Shoe
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9. Asics Matflex 7

ASICS seems to just dominate te wrestling shoe market in almost all areas. Maybe it’s that or that they just haven’t had any real new incumbents come in and try to steal their thunder, who knows. Coming in at the number 9 spot to almost wrap up this list we have the Matflex 7 from ASICS.

The Matflex 7 model is more than just a well-priced option in the world of wrestling shoes. It has superb build quality and breathability, along with a multitude of different features. This model of wrestling shoe (the Matflex) is a classic for us, the matflex 4 was our first pair of wrestling shoes and typically you see a lot of first-timers go with this pair of shoes. Now, they are like the training wheels version of wrestling shoes so soon after buying these you may want to upgrade to something better but nonetheless, the Matflex make is perfect for practice shoes (if you plan on going with multiple pairs of wrestling shoes).

It is one of the best choices for the wrestling mat as far as grip is concerned. This is due to its comparatively thin EVA sole that allows you to get a better feel of the mat when you wrestle. You’ll get a lot of traction that’ll prevent slippage.

The latest ASICS Matflex is also very comfortable and is great at absorbing shocks. At the same time, this shoe is also easy to clean because of its removable sock liner. Like several other wrestling shoes on this list, it has a lacing garage to hide the aglets of your shoe laces for safety.

best wrestling shoe

Why did they make this spot?

Not including the Matflex on the list of top 10 wrestling shoes is a crime punishable by suplex. These wrestling shoes are extremely affordable making this the most budget-friendly  option that is on our list of top 10 wrestling shoes. The shoes don’t have very many colorways to choose from so you will have a lack of options on that front but these are a reliable pair of wrestling shoes. The grip may wear off a little bit faster than you would like since these are a bit of a cheaper pair of shoes so if you are not looking to have a slipping athlete in might be better to just avoid the low price tag item and shoot for something that boasts a higher quality rating in the grip category.

How do they fit: May run small, size up for wide feet. Fits to size for narrow.

Pros

  • Staple Wrestling Shoe
  • ASICS Quality
  • Comfortable once broken in
  • Very Affordable

Cons

  • Get what you pay for
  • Fit can be a bit inconsistent across foot types
ASICS Men's Matflex 7 Shoes
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10. Nike Speed Sweep VII

Finally, you made it to the end of the list of top-rated wrestling shoes. Here at Grapplers Graveyard we pride ourselves in quality and do not take your attention for granted. Thank you for making it this far!

With that being said to wrap up our list at the number 10 spot we have the Nike Speedsweep VII.

Wrapping up the list with a pair of wrestling shoes from Nike just feels right. On the list, Nike has quite a bit of a lack of representation but we were happy to put this wrestling shoe up there with some of our top choices.

This ticks all the boxes of what a wrestling shoe should be. It is lightweight, so it allows wrestlers to move quickly. It has a lot of grip and traction so that you don’t slip on the wrestling mat.

As expected from Nike, the shoe has been designed and built with quality in mind. The quality of the materials used is astounding and so are the aesthetics. It is also comfortable and has a reasonable price tag. A lacing garage further separates it from most other wrestling shoes.

best wrestling shoe

Why did they make this spot?

Number 10 is not a bad spot to be in but they are here for a reason and may potentially be soon replaced. Nike is not really known for its wrestling attire so it can be a bit harder to find these shoes online to purchase and get delivered to you in a quick fashion. The shoe is alright and mainly fits our criteria of being durable, having good grips, and being comfortable but lacks severely on options in both colorways and sizing.

How does it fit: Runs Smaller

Pros

  • Affordable Price
  • Quality is good
  • Lightweight

Cons

  • No colors to choose from
  • Hard to find a size
  • Runs small
Nike Kids Speedsweep VII Wrestling Shoe
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Bonus

Adidas Combat Speed 5

best wrestling shoe

We felt a duty to add this shoe to the list as a bonus. We went to Reddit to cross-reference our options here and a number of folks swore up and down by the quality of the Adidas Combat 5s. We took it upon ourselves to listen and try them out for ourselves and were happy to have this shoe listed on our top 10 list.

Not only are these shoes affordable but they are rated very well on the grip and feel. We feel very dangerous in the shoes, they fit right to our feet, they are comfortable, they are light, and versatile, and have many options to choose from color-wise. At the end of the day we may have to rethink our options and actually add this shoe to the list entirely!

You cannot go wrong with this wrestling shoe if you end up choosing one from the list!

How do they fit: Narrow and a bit smaller. Buy a size up

Pros

  • Top rated by Reddit
  • High quality
  • Comfortable
  • Lots of colors to choose from
  • Light
  • Grippy

Cons

  • Not true to size and comes a bit smaller and more narrow
Adidas Men's Combat Speed 5 Wrestling Shoe
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Recap on the Top 10 Wrestling Shoes

Ankle Support

One of the main reasons you’d want a pair of dedicated wrestling shoes is the increased ankle support they provide. This is due to their high-top design that covers and hence supports the ankle. They help make the wrestler more stable and balanced.

Wrestling puts a lot of strain on your ankles and due to these shoes, the chances of spraining or twisting your ankle are massively reduced. But of course, every athlete needs a different level of support and so there are different shoes catering to that.

From Beginners to High Level Athletes

Also, remember that the best wrestling shoes must be designed for all levels of performance on the mat. This means that they should cater to all levels of the game – beginner or advanced. This is as the basic requirements of grip, flexibility, durability, and support remain the same.

There are specialized wrestling shoes that can be more useful to the more skilled wrestlers. These offer add-ons in terms of customization options, improved breathability, and reinforced shoe soles. Hence they’re the right choice for higher performance and support for higher levels.

Naturally, these shoes are pricier so beginners may not be able to afford them. However, one just needs to find the shoes that come with the right combination of the quirks above in their budget. Remember, not all of the aforementioned upgrades are necessary for your level.

Cheat Sheet for Choosing the Right Pair

Choosing the best wrestling shoes is essential to perform at your best and prevent injuries. You need to consider several attributes before making the purchase. A major one is grip, so you don’t slip on the mat. Ankle support and flexibility are also key attributes as they provide you with more stability and a good range of motion respectively.

There should be no compromises on durability and shoe-material quality as they allow your shoes to survive wear and tear, and last long. Furthermore, the shoes’ breathability helps you compete for longer and prevents your feet from sweating. Lastly, versatility and style are also considered important by many.

Thankfully, the shoes mentioned on this list contain the very best features that wrestlers look for today. We’ve done the research for you so pick one of them over the many other wrestling shoes should be a no-brainer.

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